Damian Thompson is Editor of Telegraph Blogs and a columnist for the Daily Telegraph. He was once described by The Church Times as a "blood-crazed ferret". He is on Twitter as HolySmoke. His latest book is The Fix: How addiction is taking over your world. He also writes about classical music for The Spectator.

Restore civility to politics, says Democrat in New York Times – forgetting to mention that he once called for a Republican to be shot

Hat-tip to Tim Montgomerie for what he suggests is "the best example of the Left's disgusting hypocrisy on the Tucson tragedy". Here's former Congressman Paul Kanjorski writing – where else? – in the New York Times:

We all lose an element of freedom when security considerations distance public officials from the people. Therefore, it is incumbent on all Americans to create an atmosphere of civility and respect in which political discourse can flow freely, without fear of violent confrontation.

"That Scott down there that's running for governor of Florida," Mr Kanjorski said. "Instead of running for governor of Florida, they ought to have him and shoot him. Put him against the wall and shoot him. He stole billions of dollars from the United States government and he's running for governor of Florida. He's a millionaire and a billionaire. He's no hero. He's a damn crook. It's just we don't prosecute big crooks."

If that's Paul Kanjorski's idea of "civility and respect in political discourse", I'd love to hear what he sounds like when he's being rude.